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HORSHAM – Lauren Schmickle and Lizzie Myers, almost on cue, answered in one voice when asked how they felt knowing their Hatboro-Horsham volleyball squad had punched its ticket to the PIAA Class AAA State Tournament.
“So excited,” the senior duo said.There was plenty of excitement to go around after the Hatters’ no-doubt-about-it 3-0 win over Unionville in Tuesday’s District One Class AAA Tournament (25-12, 25-17, 25-19).
“I’m in shock,” Schmickle said.
It’s a safe bet the Indians were as well.
No one anywhere could have predicted the Hatters would win in such resounding fashion over a Unionville squad that had rolled to a 3-0 win over Villa Maria Academy in a second round match.
“After the first game when it was 25-12, I think that’s when we realized – one game down and two to go, and we put it all out on the floor and finished it off,” senior Ashley Morgan said. “It was a whole team effort. That’s what really makes me excited.”
Everyone had their shining moments in Tuesday’s match, but no one had more ‘moments’ than junior middle hitter Julie Harvey, who had a game-high 15 kills. Sophomore Kathryn Lucca had seven kills and four digs while Morgan had five kills, five digs and four aces. Schmickle, the Hatters’ standout setter, handed out 31 assists on a night when everything was working for the Hatters.
“It’s really great because then you feel like you’re doing your job the best you can,” Schmickle said.
“Getting a really good set off of Lauren – you just want to go and hug her because she set it up for you,” Myers said. “She allowed you to get that kill. It’s awesome. Our teamwork is amazing.”
There were early signs that the Hatters might be onto something special when – after the Indians went on top 6-3, Harvey delivered a kill to make it a two-point game and then stepped to the service line where she reeled off 10 straight points.
“I have been practicing all year,” Harvey said. “I just try and hit it hard and hit my spots.”
Harvey had plenty of help from her friends during that run. Lucca and Carly Black both had a pair of kills, and Harvey helped her own cause with a service ace and back row kill.
The play that evoked the loudest cheers during the run was a monster kill on the first touch by Myers.
“There were certain plays where everyone felt like they were MVP of the game,” Myers said. “Hitting that kill that went straight to the ground was so exciting, and we needed that momentum.“Both teams had really good talent, but I feel like we had the heart to win the game.”
By the time a Harvey serve sailed over the end line for a sideout, the Hatters led 14-7 and were well on their way to the resounding win.
In game two, the Indians went on top 11-7 after a Megan Cohan service ace, prompting Hatboro coach Diane Lucas to call a quick timeout. Harvey delivered a kill out of the timeout, and that brought Morgan to the service line where she reeled off 12 straight points – a dazzling run that included a pair of Unionville timeouts.
“That was huge,” Morgan said. “We were down by a lot, but it wasn’t just my serving because they were returning the ball. It was our whole team putting it back over the net.”
Morgan’s run featured a pair of Harvey kills as well as a block by the junior middle hitter, a Lucca kill and three consecutive Morgan service aces.
“It’s a tribute to our servers for going back there and staying aggressive,” Hatboro coach Diane Lucas said. “That’s one thing we worked on at practice between Thursday and today - staying aggressive in our serving no matter at what point the game was.”
Also included in the big run were a pair of dumps on second touch by Schmickle that fell in for winners.
“It helps mix up their defense and keeps them on their toes,” the Hatters’ senior setter said of her decision to simply dump the ball over the net. “So when you do pass and then do a couple of sets and tip it over, they have to expect it, but they’re not ready for it.”
Up 20-11 after the second of a pair of Schmickle winners, the Hatters never looked back on their way to the big win.
In game three, the Indians opened up a 14-11 lead, but that’s when the Hatters went to work.
A Harvey kill was followed by a Unionville mishit, and the two teams were deadlocked after a Lucca kill (14-14). A Lucca kill was followed by a Black kill, and the Hatters led 17-15. They extended that lead to 19-15 after another Harvey kill that brought Lucas off the bench applauding. A pair of Unionville miscues put the Hatters on top 21-15, and the Indians would get no closer the rest of the way. The impressive win was in the books when Lucca delivered a line kill for match point.
“It’s so exciting,” Morgan said of earning a state berth. “It’s what we have worked for all four years of playing, and finally it happened.
“That’s all we wanted all season. I think we just went out there and played our hearts out. We knew what was at stake, and we didn’t want our season to end.”
“It was so exciting,” Harvey added. “We have been looking forward to this so much. We really tried hard. We hustled, and we never gave up.
“We have been hoping for this all year.”
The fourth-seeded Hatters have earned a date in the district semifinals against top-seeded Bishop Shanahan, a 3-1 winner over Pennsbury in another quarterfinal match. The Hatboro/Shanahan match will be held at Norristown on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Whatever happens on Thursday, the Hatters have already ensured themselves a spot in states, and that was reason enough to celebrate.
“It’s a tribute to the players for coming out here strong, for having a great warm-up and for wanting this since Aug. 17,” Lucas said. “The girls are pumped. They’re playing a high level. We’re in good form right now. We’re going to be competitive on Thursday. We’re going to take it to them on Thursday.”
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